UVM Men’s Soccer Advances in NCAA Tournament with Impressive 5-0 Victory
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The University of Vermont men’s soccer team continues its impressive run in the NCAA Tournament, securing a spot in the Round of 32 for the third consecutive year after a decisive 5-0 win over Iona on a rainy Thursday evening at Virtue Field.
The scoring opened early for Vermont, with David Ismail finding the net from long range less than 20 minutes into the game. However, it was redshirt senior Yaniv Bazini who significantly impacted the match, scoring two goals early in the second half. Just seconds after the restart, Bazini curved the ball around the Iona goalkeeper, and ten minutes later, he executed a creative backheel goal to double his tally.
"In do-or-die situations, everyone gives their best," Bazini stated, emphasizing the team’s cohesion. This victory marked the sixth NCAA Tournament win for UVM in the last three years, showcasing their consistent performance at this level.
Ryan Zellefrow and Maxi Kissel added to the scoreline, further solidifying the Cats’ dominance. Head coach Rob Dow praised the team’s performance, acknowledging Iona’s strengths as the MAAC champions. He noted, "Once we broke, we knew we could be dangerous," highlighting the team’s offensive prowess led by Wathuta, Bazini, Papp, and Ismail.
With this victory, Vermont is set to face #7 Hofstra in the next round of the tournament. The match is scheduled for this Sunday at 5 p.m. in Hempstead, promising to be another thrilling challenge as the Cats aim to extend their postseason journey.
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